The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1887-01-29
AN UNw1sE Choice.

(9-13) Abraham gave Lot-the choice of the
whole land. "If thou to the left, will turn
to the right; and if thou to the right, I will
turn to the left" From Bethel the country
extended on the one hand toward the Mediter-
ranean Sea, and on the other toward the Jor-
dan, including its fertile valley and the plain
which is now the Dead Sea. From the high
position of their encampment Lot took a
survey of the surrounding country, and be-
held the luxuriant Plain of the Jordan, as it
appeared like the lost Paradise in Eden, and
as the land of Egypt, out of which they had
SO recently come, and which was rendered SO
fertile by the overlooking of the Nile. Lot
chose this fertile region, and journeyed to-
ward the east, moving his tent or encamp-
ment till he reached Sodom, where he finally
made his home, and narrowly escaped by a
Divine warning the doom of that wicked city.
Lot chose what was apparently the best
portion of the land. His choice was wholly
a selfish one. 1t did not appear to occur to
him to act generously toward his uncle who
had dealt SO generously with him. Had he
been as noble as his uncle he would not have
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his choice, and most excellent one it would
seem from a worldly point of view; the land
was fertile, the pastures were abundant. and
the cities of the plain were populous and
prosperous. The choice, however, proved to
be an inexpedient one, as every purely self
ish and worldly choice is liable to be. The
passage with which our Lesson closes reveals
the folly of the choice: 1.-THE inhabitants of
Sodom were exceedingly wicked and sinful"
Lot chose to settle in an immoral communi-
ty for the sake of increasing his possessions,
and by so doing debased his moral character,
corrupted his family, lost the religious graces,
the treasures of his soul, and finally lost his
property in the Divine judgment that over
took the wicked community with whom he
had chosen to cast his fortune. Like many
another man, Lot considered only the pros
pect of increasing his possessions without
any regard whatever to the welfare of his
soul, his true life, and lost all. What, in
world and thereby lose his own SOU, forfeit
everything that makes life worth living and
gives true value to property itself, forfeit,
indeed, it may be, both life and property!
The riches and graces of heart and character
are rather to be chosen than great posses
sions. They are the enduring riches that
moth do not corrupt and that do not
take to themselves wings and fly away. Lot
chose 'to make money" as the first consider
alton of life, and lost all. But ga mans life
consistent not in the abundance of the things
which he possesseth." What men are is of
vastly more importance than what they pos
sess. JESUS taught the true estimate of life
and its possessions, when he said, "Seek ye
first the kingdom of GoD and His righteous
ness, and all these things shall be added unto
YOU" Let us in determining the ciroum-
stances of our lives, follow the precepts of
JESUS, our Divine Master, rather than the ex-
ample of Lot, whose unwise choice may serve
as warning against worldly mindedness.
Beware of eovetousness." "Be not de-
ceived. Evil companionships corrupt good
morals"